We take a look at two Hertfordshire farm shops that have a reputation for quality...

IT used to be that the only reason to visit a farm shop was to get fresh fruit and vegetables for your familys dinner table. But now farm shops are about so much more.

Jams, chutneys, the finest cuts of meat, cheeses, wines, breads, condiments and cakes the list is now endless and has helped put these local gems well and truly on the map.

In Radlett, Battlers Green Farm Shop happily feeds the local residents appetite for fresh local produce.

The farm shop was actually established in 1960 as a family-owned shop intended to do little more than supplement the income of a busy working farm.

However it proved to be the start of bigger things with the gradual development of Battlers Green Farm Rural Shopping Village. Today, although the number of retailers has grown, the Farm Shop remains the shopping villages anchor store, a genuine original that stocks all you might expect, and more: high quality foods including preserves, jams and chutneys, fresh crusty bread, homemade cakes; fresh fruit and vegetables; fine wines from around the world; and a superb cheese selection, specialising in English farmhouse and continental cheeses.

Local produce is sourced wherever feasible and the atmosphere remains that of a true farm shop, still allied to the adjacent family farm and now supplying both local customers and visitors from further afield with quality produce in beautiful surroundings.

Over in Hertford, Foxholes Farm Shop, Butchery and Delicatessen has long been known as a great place to get the best fresh, local meat.Resident butchers Terry, Harold and Harry are on hand from 8am to 5pm week days and 8am to 3.30pm at weekends to help customers with all the cuts of meat they require and can help with cooking instructions too.

The majority of the beef will be home grown, but at times a small amount is sourced from local beef farmers with the same quality as Foxholes beef. Local lamb and pork are also on offer plus seasonal local game, and Foxholes has recently begun curing its home-produced saddleback pork for bacon.

All products in the farm shop, including an extended range of fruit and vegetables, are sourced as locally as possible to give you some of the quality products which farmers, growers and small producers do so well.Foxholes also has a Farm Kitchen, where they bake their own bread and prepare home-made meat pies, fruit pies, soups and ready made meals so you dont always have to make your own.